March 12, 2008

I started to "unearth" all of my unfinished projects and today I worked on my crochet rag rug. This rug was started over a year ago to use up the old knit fabric that was being stored in the basement. I began tearing some of the fabric, but the fabric really started falling apart and some of the strips became too thin, so then I cut the rest of the fabric into 1 1/2 to 2 inch strips. I tried to make one long continuous piece, so sometimes I cut close to corners and turned the fabric, but with knit fabric this really isn't a big deal.

I have found that it isn't always easy to make the rug flat as I tried to follow a set pattern of increasing. So far I have been able to stretch the rug to make it flat and know that when I block it at the end it will be okay, but I am thinking of not increasing the next row or so to make it easier in the end. I guess this crochet rag rug making isn't an exact science because it probably depends on the type of fabric, the width of your strips, the size of your hook, and the tension you crochet with.

Also, if takes a bit more muscle than your typical crocheting project. My muscles get sore from working with fabric. So if you suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome at all, this is probably not the crochet project for you. But it is definitely worth the effort. I showed this project to my friend today -- who was drooling all over it. I guess I'm excited to get it done now!

If you would like to work on a basic crochet rag rug, all you need to do is prepare your fabric in strips (the longer the better) and know how to chain and single crochet.

I used an N crochet hook.

Chain 4

Slip stitch into the first chain to form a loop.

Row 1

Chain one(counts as first sc)

7 SC (Single crochet) into loop

Row2

2 SC in each st (stitch)

Row 3

*2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next stitch (*repeat 7 times)

Row 4

*2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next st, 1 sc in next st (*repeat 7 times)

continue increasing one more 1 sc in next stitch until the rug is as big as you want it.

I continued increasing as planned above and have found that I could have done with a few less increases, so you will have to gauge your item. If you are finding that your rug is laying flat, no problem, but if you have an issue with your crochet rag rug starting to buckle a bit, then put a decrease in your row. (I would opt for keeping the 2 sc in the 8 corners of you want that shape, and decrease in the long sc stretches -- if you want a circle then go ahead and eliminate some of the 2 sc and only sc in them instead -- I know this is kind of scary for some people, not having EXACT directions, but trust me........it's better to feel your way through your project, than be disappointed with your results!)